Caterham does not sell cars in 2009

No Caterham cars were sold last year, and only one in 2008. “Yes, last year I had no deliveries at all, so I'm not a rich person,” says Caterham Cars Australia spokesman Chris van Wyck.

He says they have two problems. “The price is too high and most Clubman buyers want a complete car, which we don't offer,” he says. “In my experience in this market, most buyers want to build a $40,000 kit car, or they can pay up to $60,000 for an assembled car. Few can pay more. So even now we are still too expensive for the market, but since Caterham uses quality components, we cannot directly compete with other club cars on price. Some of these competitors have used some used or remanufactured components in the past, which we do not. We have Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, for example. “It means that we are really looking for buyers who can afford a BMW Z4 or a Porsche Boxster, but for most of them, our car is too focused and simple.

The cost of ADR homologation is also terrible and it hits small manufacturers disproportionately because we have to amortize these costs with a small number of cars. “So, whatever one may say, we will always have a very small customer base.”

However, he is confident that sales of the two-liter base model will grow by at least 100% this year, with the base model SVR 82,950 priced at $26,050, $107,700 less than the previous $200 SVR model . rate, reduced duty and a redesigned, less expensive engine." And instead of just offering one model, Caterham now offers the largest range of Sevens.

The Roadsport SV 175, Superlight SV R300 and CSR 175 are powered by a 4-litre engine co-developed with Ford in the UK. The new Euro 129 four-cylinder engine delivers 2.3kW and replaces the previous "very nice but very expensive" hand-built Cosworth 147-litre 1kW. “The engine is a gem, handcrafted at the F50 Engine Factory, but the engine alone costs about $000,” says van Wyck.

There is also a base $64,900 Seven Roadsport SV 120 model that replaces the SVR 120 and is powered by a 1.6-liter Ford Sigma. “Our Roadsport SV 120 model is also exempt from the dreadful luxury car tax, with fuel consumption of less than seven liters per 100 miles,” says van Wyck. “So if someone is looking for a fun sports car for the road, we now have much more affordable models to choose from.”

Based on the outgoing SVR 175, the Seven Roadsport SV 200 is designed for road use and has weather protection but no air conditioning. It features a short-travel manual five-speed transmission, unassisted direct steering, unassisted brakes, and owners will still be able to view the front suspension and steering from the driver's seat. The Roadsport SV 175 also has reduced specifications compared to the SVR 200. It now comes with 14-inch wheels and a five-speed gearbox, rather than 15-inch wheels and custom-made Avon CR500 tires with a six-speed gearbox. developed by Caterham. , which now costs $6795. The 175 also has De Dion rear suspension, an electrically heated windshield, defroster, padded armrests, cloth and carbon fiber seat trim, side sills and rear bumper guards.

The track-focused Seven Superlight SV R300 has ditched all but the bare necessities to save weight, so there's no heater, windshield or weather protection, though they can be fitted as an option. However, it comes with a custom close-ratio six-speed transmission, adjustable suspension, 15-inch alloy wheels, carbon fiber wind deflector and front guards, and costs $92,530.

The top of the line Caterham Seven is the $95,530 CSR 175 with inboard front suspension, independent rear suspension, adjustable dampers and a front anti-roll bar. The CSR shares 254mm ventilated front disc brakes with the SV 175 and SV R300, but has larger 254mm solid rear discs and wider rear tires offered as an option.

At the end of the budget is the Seven Roadsport SV 120 with a 1.6-liter Ford Sigma engine, five-speed manual transmission, De Dior rear suspension and 14-inch wheels. It still comes with niceties like full weather protection, electric heated windshield and fabric trim. The Caterham Seven sports cars are based on the 1957 Lotus designed by Colin Chapman in '7.

Caterham Australia also orders complete or kit race cars, priced according to customer specifications. “But to date I have not received any orders. There is no suitable racing series for them in Australia,” says van Wyck.

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